Forty-six years ago on September 21, 1972, the late President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation 1081, which formally announced the beginning of martial rule in the Philippines. This onerous proclamation marked the beginning of his 14-year dictatorial rule and led to what is now known as the darkest age in our country’s history. By peddling the rhetoric of reform and development, Marcos was able to amass colossal power and influence over all aspects of government. He legitimized martial rule in order to stay in power, yet used the veil of a ‘democratic revolution’ to mask the very real horrors of Martial Law.